Hospital Development Options Assessed

The relative benefits of the three hospital development options have been assessed by a group representing a wide range of interests. The assessment is part of the process used to determine which of the three options will best meet the needs of patients, provide the greatest service benefits and meet the proposals in the health investment plan.

The assessment group included representatives from patients, carers, hospital volunteers, nurses, doctors, social services, therapist, the Community Health Council and strategic health authority.

The group first defined the criteria to be used for the assessment process. These were then placed under four headings:

• Patients - covering issues such as their expectations, the right to privacy, providing choice, the quality of the environment, facilities for visitors, etc.

• Staff - covering recruitment and retention issues, training, support for flexible working, job satisfaction, etc.

• Access - covering public transport, emergency ambulances, internal layout of the hospital and car parking.

• Effectiveness and Efficiency - covering issues such as the ability to meet performance targets, flexibility of services and buildings, clinical safety, the location of departments, etc.

 
Members of the team define the most important benefits the new hospital should provide

The second stage of the assessment process involved deciding which benefit criteria are the most important by ranking them in order. 

Finally each option was considered against the individual criteria and scored. All the scores were then aggregated to give a final score which can be compared to the scores for the other options.

The whole process was managed by independent facilitators who specialise in helping large organisations make key strategic decisions.

The full results of the assessment process will be published in the next month and included in the business case.  

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